Remediation of soils contaminated with particulate depleted uranium by multi stage chemical extraction

Crean, Daniel E.; Livens, Francis R.; Sajih, Mustafa; Stennett, Martin C.; Grolimund, Daniel; Borca, Camelia N.; Hyatt, Neil C.

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.08.013

Cited by 29 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Contamination of soils with DU from ammunition occurs in conflict zones and at test firing sites (Fathi et al, 2013;Yousefi and Najafi, 2013). Uranium rich particles with characteristic spherical morphologies were observed in soils, consistent with other instances of DU munitions contamination (Crean et al, 2013). More studies demonstrate that substantial alteration of DU residues can occur, which directly influences the health and environmental hazards posed by this contamination (Fathi et al, 2013;Vidic et al, 2013), especially when many studies show that DU is primarily associated with macromolecules in dissolved fraction (Harguindeguy et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Human Health and Environmental Uranium

Patočka¹

2014

MMSL

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Uranium from the environment enters the human body by ingestion with food and drink and by inhalation of respirable airborne uranium-containing dust particles or aerosols. A 70 kg, non-occupationally exposed 'Reference Man' living in Europe or in the United States has an estimated total body uranium content of about 22 micrograms. Uranium is absorbed from the intestine or the lungs, enters the bloodstream, and is rapidly deposited in the tissues, predominantly kidney and bone, or excreted into the urine. In the bloodstream, uranium is associated with red cells, and its clearance is relatively rapid. Renal toxicity is a major adverse effect of uranium, but the metal has toxic effects on the cardiovascular system, liver, muscle, and nervous system as well. Any possible direct risk of cancer or other chemical-or radiation-induced health detriments from uranium deposited in the human body is probably less than 0.005% in contrast to an expected indirect risk of 0.2% to 3% through inhaling the radioactive inert gas radon, which is produced by the decay of environmental uranium-238 in rocks and soil and is present in materials that are used to build dwellings and buildings where people live and work.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Human Health and Environmental Uranium

Patočka¹

2014

MMSL

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“…A modified version of the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) scheme, 27 previously applied to uranium speciation in soils, 28,29 was used. The distribution of uranium was defined in five phases: exchangeable, reducible, oxidisible and recalcitrant and residual.…”

Section: Sequential Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-scale investigation of uranium attenuation by arsenic at an abandoned uranium mine, South Terras

et al. 2017

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Detailed mineralogical analysis of soils from the UK's historical uranium mine, South Terras, was performed to elucidate the mechanisms of uranium degradation and migration in the 86 years since abandonment. Soils were sampled from the surface (0-2 cm) and near-surface (25 cm) in two distinct areas of ore processing activities. Bulk soil analysis revealed the presence of high concentrations of uranium (<1690 p.p.m.), arsenic (1830 p.p.m.) and beryllium (~250 p.p.m.), suggesting pedogenic weathering of the country rock and ore extraction processes to be the mechanisms of uranium ore degradation. Micro-focus XRF analysis indicated the association of uranium with arsenic, phosphate and copper; µ-XRD data confirmed the presence of the uranylarsenate minerals metazeunerite (Cu(UO 2 ) 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 ·8H 2 O) and metatorbernite (Cu(UO 2 ) 2 (PO 4 ) 2 ·8H 2 O) to be ubiquitous. Our data are consistent with the solid solution of these two uranyl-mica minerals, not previously observed at uranium-contaminated sites. Crystallites of uranyl-mica minerals were observed to coat particles of jarosite and muscovite, suggesting that the mobility of uranium from degraded ores is attenuated by co-precipitation with arsenic and phosphate, which was not previously considered at this site.

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“…However, does not release any carbon dioxide. Moreover, this situation shows that the potential of nuclear energy on Earth is very large [14]. According to the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev, "Uranium mining is one of the most developed areas of the nuclear industry in the country.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspects of sustainable development of industry in Kazakhstan

et al. 2019

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This article discusses the economic benefits of uranium mining, as well as its environmental and health impacts. Sustainable development includes several aspects: energy, water, the environment, food and the economy, and ensuring each of these aspects is a serious problem. Energy is at the center of other aspects of sustainability, as it has a direct relationship with water, food, and the environment. Uranium is Kazakhstan’s top priority in the global energy market. In the world, there are different opinions on the development of uranium production, increasing the value of atomic energy. Apparently, this should be preceded by a crisis in the field of oil and gas production in recent years, in connection with which the world energy market should have a diversified course depending on various energy sources. Kazakhstan is a country rich in uranium. In addition, over the years of independence, we have increased production almost four times and maintain leadership in the world. Therefore, uranium production is the most important advantage of our global energy space today.

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Remediation of soils contaminated with particulate depleted uranium by multi stage chemical extraction

Cited by 29 publications

References 35 publications

Human Health and Environmental Uranium

Human Health and Environmental Uranium

Multi-scale investigation of uranium attenuation by arsenic at an abandoned uranium mine, South Terras

Aspects of sustainable development of industry in Kazakhstan

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